Some of the finest amateur drama talent in the country will head to Claregalway from tonight (Thursday ) March 15 when the Claregalway Drama Festival gets under way at the local community centre.
The event which will run until Friday March 23 will see nine of the best amateur drama groups in Ireland take to the stage in the battle for points on the All-Ireland drama circuit.
The community centre in Claregalway was this week completely transformed into a comfortable theatre with tiered seating, free refreshments, and wonderful entertainment for the duration of the event.
Tickets for the festival can be purchased at the door each night. Admission is €10 and €5 for OAPs. Season tickets for €60 are available
also, representing tremendous value for someone who wants to see nine plays in nine nights.
Chairman Seamus McNulty told the launch last week that the festival is a remarkable event that is made possible by the sterling work of a dedicated committee. He said that the festival has made an enormous contribution to the development of amateur drama in the region.
The festival kicks off tonight (Thursday ) with the local drama group Compántas Lir taking the stage with their award winning production of the classic play The Curious Savage. The opening night is usually a full house so patrons are asked to come early. Doors open at 7pm and the performance commences at 8pm.
There is considerable Galway interest in the festival as four groups in total stage their productions. DADS from Dunmore stages The Weir by Conor McPherson on Wednesday night; while Glenamaddy Players perform The Odd Couple on Bank Holiday Monday night.
The full programme is:
Thursday March 15 — Compantas Lir - The Curious Savage by John Patrick
Friday March 16 — Sliabh Aughty - Thy Will be Done by Michael Carey
Saturday March 17 — Prosperous DG - Deadline by Robert Massey
Sunday March 18 — Corofin DG - The Subject was Roses by Frank D Gilroy
Monday March 19 — Glenamaddy - The Odd Couple by Neil Simon
Tuesday March 20 — Estuary Players - Three Days of Rain by Richard Greenberg
Wednesday March 21 — DADS - The Weir by Conor McPherson
Thursday March 22 — Lifford Players - Shadowlands by William Nicholson
Friday March 23 — Thurles DG - The Seafarer by Conor McPherson
